No Manny

Ramirez might have hurt his knee jaywalking. Ramirez will be fine. 2 days off in a row, he'll be ready for the Yankees. Hernandez seems to pitch quite well against Boston. Let's see how Buchholz does today. The first inning has been an issue for him. Buchholz should be fine today, a weak lineup in Seattle.

Let's see what Buchholtz can do with this pathetic Seattle linup. He'd better pitch like Lester. The Rays and Yanks already won their games this afternoon.

Manny probably slipped on some spilled bong water.

Arnie, our poor, dear arnie... he has finally lost it!! We know this because on the prior post, he's calling for a RedSox loss!!! Arnieschmo would NEVER predict a Sox loss!!! I know, it isnt really Arnie!!Who is this imposter who is using the Arnieshmo tag?? Give up you imposter!!!! You fraud!! Give us our beloved Arnie back.. You can't have him. Tell us your ransome demands. Kidnappers we're listening!!

Manny out huh?? Well, it gives Sean Casey some time at the plate.. I really like Casey. As a matter of fact, his is the next jersey I get. There is an auction taking place on the RedSox home page. You can bid on 3 different packages. One is with Beckett, one with Papi and one with Sean Casey. Casey has the most bids and the highest bid at 1500.00. I just asked my husband to give me 1501.00 so I can win Sean Casey!!!
All kidding aside, I think he's one of the rare breed. The ones who don't care what role they are playing just as long as they get to play. You know the ones who give everything they've got everyday. Just an everyday Joe. I read that he walks to Fenway each home game. Said he loves the interaction with the public. My kind of ball player!

Just when Manny seems to be hitting like he should. Bad timing- especially against the Yanks. Let's just hope it's not Manny's chronic September illness coming in July. Glad to see Lowrie in the lineup. At least he gets wood on the ball and doesn't stand there and scowl after he's taken the third strike typical of Lugo.

Best 1st inning Clay has had this year. 1-2-3 with 2 strikeouts

What's the matter with Ellsbury? Out on three pitches and poped out on first pitch second time AB. Buchholtz has to pitch a shut out to win.

Great catch by Ichiro, taken away a 3 H.R. from Drew. Ichiro made a spectacular catch against Varitek back in May. You gotta love that 2 out hitting by Youkilis. Is there anything better than a 2 out hit that drives in a couple of runs? Those run producing 2 out hits are backbreakers!!!

Yeahhhhhhhhhhhh. Double. 2 runs scored. Thanks coco, pedroia, and yoooooooooooooooooouk!

Ichiro saves 3 runs and gives back 1. Odd.

bosoxbrian: It was a nice catch by Ichiro but the ball stayed inside the park, I think, and was catchable. Nice shot by Dew, any way.

Buccholtz looked sharp so far. 4 Ks in 2.2 innings. keep it up. I feel 2 runs ain't enough for him. Need more runs.

Reverse psychology, Ellen. The Sox have been acting like spoiled teenagers on the road this year, not seeming to care, sulking, and underachieving. So, for the first time ever I have called for a loss, hoping they would react in a teen-like fashion and show me up. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and this will be a tough two weeks coming up when the Sox' season defines itself. Mark your calendar because you won't hear a prediction like that again from me for a long time.

Wow! That was great! Drew just threw his bat in digust! He's normally so composed, poised, and controlled on the field, maybe he's frustrated by Ichiro taking away his HR. Way to show a little emotion!

Buchholz fields his position really well, he's made two good plays out there today. And he's pitching well also. Go Buchholz!

Lowri should have walked and Tek looks pitiful.

Man, you got to bed after a late game and you wake up and it's the fifth inning the following day. I must really be getting old.

Manny is having more and more durability issues. All he's been doing is DH........ how can he get hurt doing that? He's been hitting, but I've had it about up to my eyeballs with his antics and BS. The Sox are fighting for their lives, Papi isn't there, and Manny takes a day off. What's wrong with that picture.

Ellsbury must be getting very frustrated. I'm glad Tito is being patient with him. I think it will pay dividends in the long run as it did with Pedroia. He'll be OK, but I still think he's a huge key to the Sox success.

Buchholz looks pretty good today. He's got awesome stuff if he can regain his command and this looks like a step in that direction. Let's see how he does over the next couple of innings.

That was weak by the Sox. Bases loaded, no outs and they get one run. ONE! Couldn't get a ball in play. 2 strikeouts and a weak foul pop. Pathetic!!!!

It looks like Ellsbury has lost all confidence in himself-- whether it's on base and not stealing or even attempting to steal--- or at bat, where he is taking pitches that he should swing at-- when he does swing it seems to be a half-hearted -defensive swing.

Francona should pull Bucholz if anyone reaches base.

Get smart Francona. It looks like you are going to blow another game.

Buchholz now looks a little flustered.

Francona must be in a coma. What does it take for him to wake up??

Finally!!! Let's hope it's not too late. It would be much better to bring in a relief pitcher without his back against the wall. Bad management----again.

Master - 28 walks in 54 innings. I hope I'm wrong, but I don't see him much differently coming out of the pen than Delcarmen, Hansen or Aardsma. He's got the stuff to do it if he can throw strikes. Don't like him against lefties though.

Atta boy Justin - shove it right up there where the sun don't shine. Feels so good! ......... Nice Job!

Dave Rant #1

Terry said he wouldn't bring in Masterson in a tight situation "du...now you put the kid in a disaster. " The Sox have scored their pathetic 3 runs in this game so look for an automatic loss despite Buckhotz's performance -- what performance -- we're talking the Seattle Mariners here. Most of the team would hunger for Lugo's talent.
Speaking of which, Francona is exhausted. Manny is out with a knee problem and Lugo still lurks. Here's what he had to say:

"Hi Lugo fans, I'm just happy to contribute to the team you know. I mean those errors I made...that's just what Francona tells me to do...ya that's it. And all my pathetic hitting...I'm just following the manager...ya that's it...manager...what's a manager?"

gsm52,
That comment about "feel so good" you're scaring me (LOL)

Dave rant #2
Red Sox are almost brain damaged with all the LOB's they've accumulated. How is that f**king possible? 19 LOB for this game. That's just insane! Sox can't drive in runs. That's why they are LOSING! No run support AT ALL!!!!

There I feel better!

Drew keeps trying to pull the ball all the time. He looks pathetic when he waves at outside pitches. When he gets up he should focus on going the other way.

Gsm,

I think Masterson is a big upgrade over Delcarmen, Hansen and Aardsma. Perhaps I am hoping that he is, drinking some serious kool-aid. I think Masterson has more poise than the other guys and he shows a little more moxy as well. Masterson comes across as a very mature guy. Delcarmen gets down on himself real quick. When things go bad for Delcarmen, he needs to be yanked right away. Hansen has the hardware but does he have the software? Aardsma has alot of tools but doesn't know how to use them. Aardsma can't be trusted late in the game because he can't get the ball over. Masterson stepped into the rotation and felt like he belonged. I don't think he is intimidated at all and that goes a long way in my book.

C'mon Dave....... you were right here on the blog and watched the whole thing unfold........ you loved every minute of it. The kid did a great job. He needs to be thrown in under fire. How else is he going to learn.

Dave rant #3
Youk strikes out, Drew strikes out. Man...this team is pathetic. This is the Mariners we are talking about. The Seattle Mariners. No...I am sick of this.
J.D. Drew is starting to hit but considering his past experience he needs to hit like Yaz in 67 to win me over for his talent.
Dustin should not run. He's not that much faster than Ortiz.

Dave rant #4
Red Sox -- you can't win tie games....just an FYI

It looks like we are going to sit back and wait for the shoe to fall so that we can pack our bags and go back to Fenway to hide. I hope it doesn't happen but judging an recent perfomances ----

gsm52,
Ya I loved it too. It was great to see a bullpen pitcher not go to the Manny Delcarman school of pitching. I asked Manny the other day why he struggles:

"I struggle? Come on that's just my natural talent showing its true colors. I mean I give up a run or two...or three...or...four...or...OK, OK I'm crap I admit it!"

Masterson looks like a winner but in fairness he's also never been seen by Seattle before (someone correct me on that if I'm wrong)

Masterson looks like a natural reliever. Just comes into a mess and goes after the hitters. He's going to be a real bright spot in the bullpen.
Why was Tito hit-and-running with Pedroia and Youk? I guess you have to try SOMETHING to get these guys started. Didn't seem like the right thing.

One thing I do know is Masteron will be lethal against righties late in the game. Perhaps Okajima can get his act together. I read where Okajima hasn't given a run since June 23rd or so. I didn't see last night's game but Oki came in and threw strikes and retired the 2 batters he faced.

How many times has Francona called the right hit and run? I have seen too many times this year where they fail to execute the hit and run. Francona's worst hit and run call was against T.B. with Varitek at the plate and Lowell running and Boston got swept right there and then.

Has Boston won a game in extra innings on the road this year? If so how many? That speaks volumes of there pathetic bullpen.

I can think of one game on the road they won in extra innings. The first game in Japan. Probably there only one all year. They haven't been involved in too many on the road.

The last few games he had Ellsbury on first with two out and he doesn't even make an attempt to steal. People are giving Francona a pass when they say he is doing a good job of managing this year.

Sox better think about scoring some runs NOW. Battles of the bullpen don't go their way. Does Papelbon have one more in him today? I hope so.

Tek and Crisp are jokes.

I still think Tek should hit right-handed from now on. His average is 60 points higher as a righty and I think it would take a little less work if he only had to take BP from one side of the plate. Time to give up the switch-hitter idea.

Oki Dopey is coming in for Boston. Well...it was a nice game and two out of three is not bad. I asked Oki about his performance.

"I just listen to whatever Manny Delcarman tells me to do."

Ya we understand that one.

Tek has nothing to lose batting right handed all the time.

This is where it gets real interesting. Masterson was phenominal.

Ellsbury is amazing in left field -- just amazing. Oki Dopey should be grateful for the help.

Oki Dopey does it again -- 4 pitch walk. We gotta love it (GRRR)

Oh no....Manny Delcarman is coming in. Oh no...not Manny Delcarman. Please bring in Papelbon.

We are throwing the dynamic duo at them, Oki and now Manny. We are going to baffle them with science.

Come on Francona, Delcarmen?! Lopez is a better option than that, especially in a critical situation

The announcers were 'impressed' by Delcarman. They must be blind.

pangelotti,
That was a great line. We do have the dynamic duo. I was roaring over that line.

Delcarman is worried about missing his plane flight so he'll be sure to walk the side -- crap he got out of the inning.

Phew

We're going into extra innings of course but I'm not worried because our bullpen will pull through and show us what they're made of -- oh no...we're going to lose!

I have no faith for the Red Sox to get another run at all.

LOB continues to climb. I'm taking a break.

Poor baserunning by Drew, no excuse there!!! Someone should tell Drew the best outfielder in baseball plays r.f. for Seattle.

Ichiro may be the best outfielder in baseball, maybe the best I've ever seen. He gets to balls easily other fielders don't get close to. He gets such an incredible jump on everything. He also has a better than average arm.

Maybe Theo can trade Lugo and Crisp to Seattle for Putz and Morrow. If Henry agrees to pay all of Lugo and Crisps salary and half of the rest of the Mariners salaries, they might go for it. Ya think?

The good news is the Sox are 4 and 2 in extra innings. Maybe they can take one on the road here.

I understand that Ichiro covers the outfield well, but Ellsbury does an excellent job too!! He saved 2 base hits last inning.

Arnie, the Mariners need some pop in their lineup. Maybe they'll take Lugo. I mean, didn't a brilliant GM like Theo pick up Lugo for that very reason. Maybe we can play a trick on them.

Seattle is getting even with us for winning two in a row. They are going to prolong the game so that we will be tired for our games with the Yanks.

Hitters are no match for Delcarmen when he's on. Why can't he be consistent? He'd be so awesome. Sox pen is hanging in there today.

Gsm,

I'm 36 and Ichiro is the best outfielder in my lifetime. Just ahead of Griffey, Jr. Ichiro covers the most ground and has a rocket for an arm. His throws are always dead on. One play that sticks out with Ichiro is when he threw out Terrence Long at third. Very early in Ichiro's rookie season, Long was out easily. Everyone in baseball saw that and said don't run on Ichiro!!!

Delcarmen is either outstanding or he just plain stinks.

Clay looked better today (for a while) than he has in a long time. And Justin Masterson looked great!! Delcarmen doing a surprisingly good job as well.
Oh, btw... Nice baserunning by JD!! (not)

To those in the Fantasy League: Has any one heard from the Commish?? I've emailed him regarding a trade, and havent heard back from him.. it's been 5 days.. ZACH, WHERE YOU??

Manny DC pitched pretty well today. If he could only bottle those good mechanics when he's on and carry it over to the rest of the season.

Maybe Lugo could dress up with those balloons inside his uniform like on Saturday Night Live(pump you up!) and look fierce like when he strikes out, then we could fool the Mariners front office into thinking he's big and strong! You're on to something, Gsm.

Ichiro looks like spiderman climbimg that wall when he chases foul balls.

Moss should pinch hit for Crisp!!!

Tek surprised and Coco did his usual.

As soon as I hit the submit button Crisp grounds out, no surprise. I will take a guess and say Crisp is hitting under .240 from the 7th inning and beyond. Closer to .220 I bet. He should be a pinch runner and be a defensive replacement. Moss should play more. I assume Boston will deal Crisp come late July. That is the only reason I can think of why Francona plays Crisp.

He brought in Paps so that he could hold them so that the top of our order gets a shot. If we pull ahead, by some stroke of luck- he has Timlin ready.

Pacman, you're such a juvenile. Has your voice changed yet? I've been sitting here trying to think of someone better but I haven't really come up with anyone. Junior was really good. Wille Mays is right up there too. He could really go get 'em. I'll keep thinking (but it's so painful to do that).

Papelbon is throwing meatballs.

Gsm,

Great line, has my voice changed, lol. Good stuff for sure!!!

Good job by Lowell to go for the double play. I think some third baseman might have gone home. Momentum is on Boston's side here. I can smell a run here for the Red Sox!!!

Thank God for that double play. We need some runs, boys!

Phew. I thought it was done for a second

Papelbon throwing for the 3rd consecutive game, it showed. I agree with you gsm, meatballs being tossed. He had nothing on his ball.

Delcarmen was really throwing well. I wonder why Tito brought Pap in with a no save no win situation.

Time for Ellsbury to be on second base. D.P. should bunt.

Good job by Pedroia to get Ells to second. I would have preferred that Ells stole second and was then moved to third.

I don't like the idea of Pedroia not bunting. Francona doesn't make sense at times. That was the time for Pedroia to bunt. I am with you gsm about Papelbon pitching. We all saw it in N.Y. on a Sun. night against the Yankees. I wonder about Francona at times. Thank you Bloomquist!!! Ichiro is the best defensive outfielder and Bloomquist could be the worst. He is a infielder, hasn't played much outfield. Not the best baserunning by Ellsbury.

Too bad it wasn't two out so that Ells would have been running. We got lucky, that ball should have been caught.

We haven't seen much of this on the road this year. Clutch hitting and a good bullpen. That is a good recipe for a win!!!

MIKE LOWELL!!!!!

Masterson is the unsung hero for today's game. He was outstanding today. I really liked what I saw from him today. He is someone that can be trusted in a tight game. He didn't mess around out there. He was very aggressive on the mound today.

The man that started the double play comes in the clutch.
People haven't said this much this year, but you have to give the slack to the bullpen. Who is closing the game though?

Ellsbury is NOT running anymore? Why?????? Why does he have to be advanced. That makes no sense. This game was badly managed by Francona. Papelbon in? I suppose he's afraid of Lopez and Hansen who both have no ability to hold the game in play. Sox need just another fifty five runs to support Lopez or Hansen

redsoxfan015,

Tom Burgmeir is on his way!!! lol.

In fairness to Francona, he looked just plain exhausted out there. Must be those nights out with Elizabeth Taylor.

Brian, I don't think you can fault Ellsbury for not scoring on the dropped fly. He was heading back to second to tag and advance. In fact, it was a good read that he recognized the ball was going to (should have been) caught.

I probably agree that Pedroia should have been bunting. However, I think if the first pitch was a ball, Ellsbury would have been running. I also think Tito probably knew that if Pedroia bunted and was successful, Drew would be walked. As it turns out, the Sox get a little help and it doesn't matter.

Does Pap come out to finish the game?

Let's keep it going. We need all the runs that we can get.

Pap doesn't have anything left. Hanson never had anything to start with. We'll see.

Hansen is in. Let's hold our breadths. Oki, Manny, and now Hansen. Could it be possible??

Hansen should be fine with a 3 run lead. This Mariners team doesn't have Jay Buhner, Griffey, Jr., A-Rod and Edgar Martinez coming up. This Seattle team should bring back the pitchforks!!! lol. That is how they are playing.

Uh-oh, it's Hansen. OK, let's see what he can do. The Sox have responded so far this game. One more inning.

Hansen is off to a great start. By getting batters on with walks you can get the double play ball at any base once you load the bases up.

On deck for Seattle is Phil Bradley and he'll be followed by Steve Yeagar, lol. If they reach, we'll see Spike Owen. lol.

LOL! What a bunch of klutzes the Red Sox pitchers are. They're like Weebles.

WOOOOO HOOOOO!!!! Good Job Sox!!!!

Hansen made a great defensive gem to allow a runner on first. Let's go Hansen, we know you can blow this game. Grrrr

I just saw Ken "Good Evening Mr. Phelps grab a bat, lol. Alvin Davis to follow. Gotta love those pitchforks!!!

Ibanez is dangerous!

Hansen is dangerous, to Red Sox fans!!! lol.

Oh man!! I say good job and Hansen gives up two hits... what the h-e-double hockey sicks is that!! Please do take your cranium out fronm where the sun doesnt shine and end this thing!!!!!

sticks

Hansen. I was joking. I didn't MEAN for you to load the bases -- I was just KIDDING!!!!

Danny Tartabull coming up, Jim Presley to follow. Hansen is like Delcarmen, either good or really bad. They lose confidence real quick out there!!!

It's not over yet. Unless Hansen gives up a gopher ball.

Good job Hansen. This sets up the easy force at the plate. I can read Farrell lips......... if there's a ground ball back to you, let it go to someone who knows what to do with it.

This is just plain freaking ridiculous to even be in this situation. I'm sorry, Hansen does not have what it takes to be a major league pitcher.

Hansen is going to walk a run. I am sick of Hansen. Sox will lose this game and that means four losses and two wins. Way to go Hansen.

Hansen can't be trusted!!! He did get a save but he deserved nothing!!!

Hansen -- do you have ANY idea how many rants it took me to WIN this game. Please....

Sox make every game look PAINFUL.

Gorman Thomas was on deck. lol. He would have taken Hansen into Pugent Sound. lol.

They don't make it easy.Why is it that even when they win---I am still aggravated. Am I alone????

Hansen needs to be SENT DOWN NOW. Get RID OF HANSEN. Get Rid OF HANSEN. Get RID OF HANSEN. There...I said it.

How many times have we seen one of those squib hits late in the game turn into an adventure or a loss? Thank goodness this one was just an adventure.

I take full responsibility for this win today. My first ever prediction of a Sox loss inspired them. Had to have been the reason.

Pangelotti,

You are not alone at all. There are plenty of us that are aggravated. Especially with the way Hansen pitched. It should have been over with ease but not with Manny Hansen out there, lol.

Craig Delcarmen, Manny Hansen, what's the difference? Delcarmen did pitch well today though. I'll give him props.

Hansen looks pretty scared out there when a runner gets on base. If the Sox had a 10 game lead in the division I'd say keep putting him out there till he learns to pitch in a tight situation. But Tito doesn't have that luxury.

Tito had Gsm warming up in case the game went 13.

Arnie,

I would have had gsm out there over Hansen. They have no book on gsm, no scouting report. I heard that gsm struck out Fred Flintstone and Mr. Slate back to back one time. I read that in the Bedrock Times, lol.

I just found a scouting report on gsm, thanks to scouts inc. A above avg. fastball that can be thrown to both sides of the plate. A great change-up, of course when he throws the change-up it changes the score. lol. A great slider, once again when he throws it, it slides off the fence about 400 feet away. Bunt on him, not much of an athlete on the hill. Basically get up and swing. A great way to pad yout stats when you face gsm!!! lol. In other words it sounds like he could get 5 years worth around 65 million and that is with Dave as his agent!!! Imagine what Boras could get gsm? Barry Zito money for sure!!! lol.

Arnie!!!! You're back!!! Thank God they didnt hurt you!! Did you know there was someone here impersonating you??? LOL. I figured had pulled out the old Reverse Psychology Book!!

Hey guys -- game evaluation.

By right the Sox should have LOST this game. The only reason why they won it -- Seattle is even a lousier team. Seattle gave up unearned runs. Thats' the ONLY reason why the Sox got six runs. By right it should have been two runs. Manny D. was OK, Okijokea was OK but Hansen was miserable. In fairness he's incredibly young to be out there at his age. For some reason Masterson can handle it for now but somehow Fred Flintstone Hansen and Barney Rubble Delcarman choke when the going gets tough.

Finally --- NO HITTING. Everyone talks about the bullpen but the Red Sox practically have to perform a rain dance out there to get a run. Lowell driving in a run -- that's the exception NOT the rule. Tight games IN SEATTLE????? how is it possible you can't blow past the Seattle team! I expect the Yankees to sweep the Red Sox in three straight at Fenway and flip positions with the Red Sox. I hope I'm wrong.

I have lost total faith in Hansen. From what I have seen from him he should be back in A.A.A. Riding the bus in the minors. He can't be trusted and when you come out of the pen in a tight game it is all about a manager having confidence in you. Okajima has pitched well as of late. Masterson showed me alot out there today. Without Masterson Boston would have lost this game. He take the hill with alot of confidence, he didn't mess around out there. Masteron looked like a young gsm out there. lol.

Funny stuff!! Fred Flintstone???!!

The Sox have done so poorly in Safeco that this is really a pretty good sweep. Definitely turning it around there.

I understand that Hansen had a rough start with the Sox back in '06, but after a while you've got to put that out of your mind and start to take control of the situation, not let the situation control you. If Hansen wants to keep putting on a Boston uniform he has to trust his 97 mph fastball and his slider and get mentally tough. Stop nibbling around the outside of the plate with runners on. He should take a page from Papelbon's book; here it is, hit it if you can. He'll get burned from time to time but in the end he'll have success.

I wonder if Farrell went out there and said "Dude,I've got a family to feed. You're gonna get me fired. Throw a strike or I'll kill ya!"

The Sox won because Seattle is pathetic. But a win is a win. The Sox remains 3 games ahead of the Yanks. Why didn't Ellsbury run? A leadoff single in the 12th, ideally he should steal and let Pedroia move him to 3rd for an out. It worked out the Sox way because Seattle was lousy team.
Every one has a hit except for JD. If he has a hitting streak going, does 3 BBs preserve the streak or not?

Hey to all!! Wow really great "Hey Rocky, watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat" game today!! I really like Masterson in his new relief spot.. IImanny (delcarmen) pitched well too.
I think that young Clay Buchholz needs to spend more time on his game, and less time on his "time out" hobby (i understand he's dating a penthouse pet!! But then again maybe she can loosen up his inhibitions!!! lol
We have the day off (from baseball, not blogging) tomorrow, right??
Glad that we kept pace with the Rays and are still holding the Yanks at bay....
Anyway, Goodnight to my Nationer family!!
We'll read and write agaian tomorrow!!
Night ALL!!!